The Chenoa Clipper-Times
Chenoa, Illinois
Thursday
May 7, 1931
Page 1
Column 7One of Oldest Chenoa Residents Expired Sunday
OLIVER THURBER HEARS SUMMONS
Died at Home of Daughter Mrs. C. J. Jones, After Lingering Illness
FUNERAL HELD TUESDAY
Services Conducted From the Easton Funeral Home; Burial Made in Chenoa Cemetery
Oliver Thurber, one of Chenoa's oldest residents, died at seven o'clock on Sunday evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C. Jeanette Jones, in this city, at the age of nearly 95 years. Mr. Thurber, who until the past several months had been able to make his regular daily trips uptown, had enjoyed robust health for many years longer than the average span of human life.
He was born July 14, 1836, on a farm near Carthage, Ill. He was the youngest child of James and Elizabeth Thurber. After the death of his mother, when he was 12 years old, he lived with an uncle at Atlanta, Ill., for several years. Later, he removed to Rooks Creek, and finally to Chenoa in 1866, where he has since resided.
In 1858, he was married to Anna D. Potter, of Rooks Creek. It was the privilege of this young couple on their wedding trip to hear the debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, which was held at Ottawa, Ill.
To Mr. and Mrs. Thurber were born five children, one of whom died in infancy. Those surviving children are Sarah L. Blue, of Ottawa; Mrs. C. J. Jones, of Chenoa; Walter C. Thurber, of Rossville, and Perry O. Thurber, of Chicago. In addition to the sons and daughters, there are eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
In 1911, after 53 years of wedded life, Mrs. Thurber passed on, and for the past twenty years Mr. Thurber had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Jones.
When 19 years old, Oliver Thurber lost the sight of one eye, and although he twice tried to enlist to serve his country in the Civil war, was rejected for military service because of this disability. It was a matter of lifetime regret, and he frequently mentioned it during his last days. His father, James Thurber, served his country in the war of 1812, and his grandfather, Nathanial Thurber, fought for the freedom of the colonies in the Revolutionary war.
Although quiet by nature, Mr. Thurber could relate some extremely interesting experiences of pioneer days, when the family supported itself largely by raising the necessities of life and hunting the game which was then so plentiful. Among his earliest recollections was the assassination of Joseph Smith, leader of the Mormons, which occurred at Carthage when Mr. Thurber was a small boy.
Oliver Thurber carved no niche in the hall of fame; he was one of the unsung builders of the middle west. He lived honorably, treated his fellow men fairly and the world is better for his having lived.
All of Mr. Thurber's ten brothers and sisters preceded him in death at an average age of 60 years. His father reached the age of 86.
Mr. Thurber was much interested in events of the day, and was especially enthusiastic over the athletic activities of the Chenoa high school, attending all of the local football games which he could, being present at one of the local games last fall. So loyal an attendant was he that his picture was taken two years ago, surrounded by the coach and the boys he so loved to witness performing on the gridiron.
A very large attendance was present at the funeral services on Tuesday afternoon, which were held at the Easton funeral home in this city, and conducted by the Rev. Walter Ward, pastor of the Methodist church. Mr. Clyde Sandham sang "Abide With Me" and "Nearer, Still Nearer," being accompanied by Mrs. Eda Jordan.
Interment was made in the Chenoa cemetery, the following gentlemen, all of the vicinity of Rooks Creek, being the pallbearers: Ralph Piper, George Potter, Charles Potter, Haldine Potter, James Galloway and Edward Myer.
Among the number from out of the city who attended the obsequies were Mr. and Mrs. Walter Thurber, of Rossville; Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Blue and family, of Ottawa; P. O. Thurber, of Chicago; Paul Thielen, of Bloominton; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Blue, of Utica; Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Potter, Mr. and Mrs. George Potter and family, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Potter and family, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Myer, Mrs. Clara Galloway and family, of Pontiac.
The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
May 13, 1931
Page 3
Column 1Oldest Native of This County Passes On At Home in Chenoa, Ill.
Oliver Thurber, perhaps the oldest native of Hancock county, died at Chenoa, Ill., Sunday, May 3rd, aged nearly 95 years.
Mr. Thurber was an uncle of Scott Belknap, whose mother was Mary Thurber. At the time of Oliver Thurber's birth the family lived on what was afterward and for many years the homestead of the late Dr. William Booz, in Hancock township. Later they moved to the Keiser farm, near the brick church, and it was while living there Mrs. Thurber and her son Oliver came to Carthage to trade one day and found themselves in the excitement caused by the killing of the Smiths, the mob surrounding the jail and accomplishing their purpose while they were here.
Mr. Belknap has given us a Chenoa paper, the Clipper-Times from which we quote concerning Mr. Thurber:
Oliver Thurber, one of Chenoa's oldest residents, died at seven o'clock Sunday evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C. Jeanette Jones, in this city, at the age of nearly 95 years. Mr. Thurber, who until the past several months had been able to make his regular daily trips uptown, had enjoyed robust health for many years longer then the average span of human life.
He was born July 14, 1836, on a farm near Carthage, Ill. He was the youngest child of James and Elizabeth Thurber. After the death of his mother, when he was twelve years old, he lived with an uncle at Atlanta, Ill., for several years. Later he removed to Rooks Creek, and finally to Chenoa in 1866, where he has since resided.
In 1858 he was married to Anna D. Potter, of Rooks Creek. It was the privilege of this young couple on their wedding trip to hear the debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas which was held at Ottawa.
To Mr. and Mrs. Thurber were born five children, one of whom died in infancy. Those surviving are: Sarah L. Blue, of Ottawa; Mrs. C. J. Jones of Chenoa; Walter C. Thurber, of Rossville; and Perry O. Thurber, of Chicago. There are also eight grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren.
In 1911, after 53 years of wedded life, Mrs. Thurber passed on and for the past twenty years Mr. Thurber had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Jones.
When 19 years old Oliver Thurber lost the sight of one eye, and although he tried twice to enlist to serve in the Civil war, was rejected for military service because of this disability. It was a matter of lifetime regret and he frequently mentioned it during his last days. His father, James Thurber, served his country in the war of 1812 and his grandfather, Nathanial Thurber, fought for the freedom of the colonies in the Revolutionary war.
Although quiet by nature, Mr. Thurber could relate some extremely interesting experiences of pioneer days when the family supported itself largely by raising the necessities and hunting game, which was plentiful. Among his earliest recollections was the assassination of Joseph Smith, leader of the Mormons, which occurred at Carthage when he was a small boy.
Oliver Thurber carved no niche in the hall of fame; he was one of the unsung builders of the middle west. He lived honorably, treated his fellow men fairly and the world is better for his having lived.
All of Mr. Thurber's ten brothers and sisters preceded him in death at an average age of 60 years. His father reached the age of 86.
Mr. Thurber was much interested in events of the day and was especially enthusiastic over the athletic activities of Chenoa high school, attending all of the local football games which he could, being present at one of the local games last fall. So loyal an attendant was he that his picture was taken two years ago surrounded by the boys he so loved to see performing on the gridiron, with their coach.
Brothers: Martin Thurber, James Thurber, William Thurber, Nathaniel Thurber
Sisters: Mary Thurber, Lydia Thurber, Jeanette Thurber
